Nitric oxide inhibits the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activity

Nitric oxide (NO) is a polypotent regulatory molecule involved in a variety of activities, such as the modulation of the catalytic activity of cystein e-containing enzymes. The present study reports the modulation of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activity by NO, released by the NO donors 3,3-bis(am inoethyl)-1-hydroxy-2-oxo-1-triazene (NOC-18), (+/-)-(E)-4-ethyl-2-[(E)-hyd roxyimino]5-nitro-3-hexenamide (NOR-3), 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), 4- (phenylsulfonyl)-3-((2-(dimethylamino) ethyl)thio)furoxan oxalate (SNO-102) , and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). NO inhibits dose-dependently the HIV-1 re verse transcriptase activity, Likely due to oxidation of Cys residue(s). Pr esent results, representing a new insight into the modulation mechanism of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activity, may be relevant to develop new st rategies for inhibition of HIV-1 replication. (C) 1999 Academic Press.